Portales man says he was at 'poultry show'

A Portales man accused of fighting roosters in Texas says police got it wrong — he was at a private “poultry show.”

Kenny Grubbs faces felony charges of cockfighting following his arrest on July 28.

That’s when law officers raided a house north of Levelland, Texas, where 45 individuals were detained in the midst of what police said was a rooster fighting match with gambling and illegal drug use.

Police said they found a ring, bird cages, more than 100 birds — five of which were deceased — and blades for the rooster’s legs, The Associated Press reported.

Grubbs said those gathered were not fighting roosters, gambling or using illegal drugs, and he alleged law officers were violent when they approached.

“I was not fighting roosters,” Grubbs insisted. “I was on the outside of the barn and those other guys that were there were just there doing a poultry show.”

Grubbs said police threatened to shoot those gathered.

Hockley County Sheriff Ray Scifres said he was not aware of any inappropriate conduct on the part of law officers.

As for Grubbs’ denials: “The evidence and statements made by witnesses on scene refutes those statements,” the sheriff said.

Grubbs on Saturday was freed on bond.